Maria grew increasingly impatient as Bernard kept smiling at her for no apparent reason. She finally snapped, her voice edged with irritation.
"Bernard, what’s going on? Why are you smiling at like that?"
Bernard’s expression shifted in surprise. Clearly, he hadn’t expected her to confront him so directly.
"I’m smiling because I’m happy. I don’t think that’s a cri, is it?" he said, a hint of displeasure in his tone. His eyebrows lifted slightly as he countered, "Do you have a problem with my smiles?"
Choosing to avoid further argunt, Maria turned away from him and kept silent.
There must be sothing he’s hiding... she thought nervously. Maybe he knows I was in his room at midnight?
Maria felt a surge of panic but quickly masked it. She knew she needed to double her efforts and move faster to uncover Bernard’s plans and retrieve the docunts she had failed to find.
They soon arrived at the college and walked into their classroom together. It felt strange to Maria, considering how long it had been since they last walked into class side by side.
Without exchanging words, they headed to their separate seats.
Relief washed over Maria when she spotted her friends. She hurried over, and they greeted each other warmly with hugs and cheerful whispers.
"Maria, we missed you so much! How are you now?" Cassandra asked, her voice low and affectionate as she leaned close.
"I missed you all too. I’m fine... for now," Maria joked, flashing a playful smile. "But who knows about tomorrow or even the next few minutes?"
They laughed quietly together, montarily lifting the heavy cloud hanging over Maria.
Laura leaned in, her face serious. "Have you been able to settle everything?"
Maria shook her head and whispered, "We can’t talk about it here, not with Bernard around. Let’s go outside."
The three friends slipped out of the classroom, careful not to draw attention. As they walked away, Maria cast a quick glance over her shoulder toward Bernard’s seat, checking if he was watching. He wasn’t.
Out in the open, Maria wasted no ti.
"I was in Bernard’s room at midnight," she began, "but I couldn’t get the docunts. I only found a duplicate marriage agreent, not the original."
"So what are you going to do now?" Cassandra asked, concern etched across her face.
Maria sighed deeply. "I don’t even know. But I need to act fast. I’m running out of patience living under that roof."
Just then, an idea sparked in her mind, and she couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face.
"Why the sudden smile, Maria?" Cassandra asked, puzzled.
"I just got an idea. And Cassandra, you’re the key to making it work," Maria said excitedly.
Laura and Cassandra leaned in closer, their curiosity piqued.
"Cassandra, you’re the most outgoing among us. I want you to get close to Bernard. Make him think you’re interested in him and willing to snitch on because you like him."
Cassandra recoiled imdiately. "No way! Bernard can be such a snob. I don’t want to make a fool of myself and beco the laughing stock of the whole college!"
Maria pleaded, her voice earnest. It seed hopeless until Laura spoke up.
"Why don’t we just give it a try? It’s better than doing nothing. We all know what Maria is going through. I would have done it, but Bernard might suspect since I’m too quiet. Cassandra, you’re perfect for this."
Cassandra looked conflicted but slowly began to relax.
"Okay, fine. But the very mont he tries to make feel stupid, I’m out!" she warned sternly.
Maria practically jumped with joy. She hugged Cassandra tightly, causing her to burst into laughter while Laura smiled her usual calm smile.
"I’ll give it a shot today. Let’s see where this leads us," Cassandra said, smiling lightly.
They returned to the classroom, where Maria’s eyes instantly t Jas’s. Panicked, she looked away quickly.
I can’t afford to let anyone suspect anything between Jas and , she thought nervously.
She took her seat cautiously, feeling extrely uneasy with both Jas and Bernard present in the sa room. It had been a long ti since both were in class at the sa ti.
Soon, Bernard stood up and walked out of the classroom without a word. Maria gave Cassandra a subtle eye signal, and Cassandra promptly followed him without attracting attention, except from Maria and Laura.
Outside the Classroom...
Bernard made his way to the deserted basketball court and sat down, focusing on his phone. He noticed soone approaching.
When he looked up and saw Cassandra, he quickly turned his attention back to his phone.
"So you ca out here just to spend quality ti with your phone?" Cassandra teased with a playful smile, sitting a few ters away from him.
Bernard was startled. They barely spoke usually. Still, he remained silent.
"I’ve been curious," Cassandra continued casually. "Curious about what the great Bernard does alone at the basketball court whenever there are no lectures."
Bernard finally responded, his eyes still glued to his phone. "So curiosities can be dangerous."
"Well, I’d gladly risk getting hurt if it ans satisfying my curiosity about a winner like you," Cassandra said sweetly. "Unless you want to pretend you haven’t noticed how much importance I place on you."
Bernard looked at her then, genuinely stunned by her forwardness.
"Can I ask you sothing?" Cassandra asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Go ahead," Bernard replied cautiously.
"Why are you still with Maria? Do you love her or not?" she asked bluntly.
Bernard was montarily speechless, staring hard at her.
"It’s okay if you don’t want to answer," Cassandra said, smirking. "I guess I’m being too nosy."
"I don’t think I have to answer that question. It’s personal," Bernard said finally, his tone clipped. "Sorry to disappoint you."
As he turned his gaze away from her, Bernard’s mind raced.
What is Cassandra up to? Is she serious, or is she planning sothing? he wondered, shooting her a suspicious glance...
Reviews
All reviews (0)